Camera module and electronic equipment using the camera module

ABSTRACT

A camera module for an imaging device includes a light sensing module, a control circuit, a mounting member, one or more external lens modules, and a magnetic sensing element. The control circuit sets photographic conditions for a certain external lens module according to a control signal, the control signal being prompted by the magnetic sensing element detecting the type of the external lens module by the arrangement of magnetic components therein, as detected by the magnetic sensing element. The magnetic components have configurations corresponding to the type of the external lens module and the magnetic components assist in aligning one external lens module to the body of the imaging device. The automatic detection and photographic settings applied can be disabled by a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/198,887, filed on Nov. 23, 2018 and entitled“CAMERA MODULE AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT USING THE CAMERA MODULE”, theentirety content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to camera module and imagingsystems.

BACKGROUND

A conventional mobile phone uses a fixture to mount different types ofexternal lenses on a camera module of a mobile phone, such as a wideangle lens, macro lens, or fisheye lens, etc., to obtain more visualeffects. However, the fixture may influence the appearance of the phoneand may not be convenient to store and handle. In addition, the fixturemay not be adapted to various sizes of mobile phones.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure are better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. It willbe appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, whereappropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the differentfigures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera module according to an embodimentof the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera module mounted on an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of anexternal lens module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating a back surface of an externallens module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating configurations of amagnetic component of an external lens module according to an embodimentof the disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a mounting member according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the mounting member according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electronic devicewithout an external lens module according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electronic device withan external lens module according to an embodiment of the disclosure;and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the external lens module andthe mounting member according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components havenot been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfeature being described. Also, the description is not to be consideredas limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts havebeen exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of thepresent disclosure.

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily tothe same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one”.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly orindirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarilylimited to physical connections. The connection can be such that theobjects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term“comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarilylimited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion ormembership in the so-described combination, group, series, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera module 10 according to anembodiment of the disclosure. The camera module 10 according to anembodiment of the disclosure comprises lens module 11, light sensingmodule 13, magnetic sensing element 15, and control circuit 17. In anembodiment, the lens module 11 can be physically external from thecamera module 10. For example, the lens module 11 can be an externallens module of a digital single lens reflex camera. In anotherembodiment, the lens module 11 may comprise an internal lens modulebuilt into a housing of an electronic device and an external lens moduleexternally connected to the electronic device. For example, theelectronic device may be a mobile phone comprising an internal lensmodule, and may have an external lens module attached. The lens moduleor the external lens module can be detachably mounted on a mountingmember of the electronic device, and may comprise a lens and one or moremagnetic components. Configurations of the magnetic componentscorrespond to the types of the lens module or the external lens module.

In the following description, the lens module is using an external lensmodule for a mobile phone. However, those skilled in the art can applythis teaching to the external lens module of a digital single lensreflex camera.

The light sensing module 13 comprises a light sensing element forreceiving light and converting same into image signals. The magneticsensing element 15 detects the configuration of the magnetic components,and provides control signal CTRL to the control circuit 17 according tothe detected configuration of the magnetic components. In an embodiment,the magnetic sensing element 15 can be a Hall sensor. The Hall sensorworks according to the Hall effect. The configurations of the magneticcomponents can be the magnetic pole, position, number, or magneticstrength of the magnetic components. Thus, the types of the externallens module can be detected by the Hall sensor. The control circuit 17sets a photographing setting according to the control signal CTRL, andprocesses the image signals generated by the light sensing module 13according to the photographing setting.

In an embodiment, the type of the external lens module can be a wideangle lens, macro lens, fisheye lens, telephoto lens, zoom lens,tilt-shift Lens, and image-stabilization lens. The configuration of themagnetic components corresponds to the type of external lens module. Themagnetic sensing element 15 detects the configuration of the magneticcomponents, and provides control signal CTRL to the control circuit 17according to the detected configuration of the magnetic components. Forexample, when the external lens module is detected by the magneticsensing element 15 to be a wide-angle lens, the control signal CTRLnotifies the control circuit 17 to set the photographing setting as highsaturation, high sharpness, low contrast, and small aperture. When theexternal lens module is detected to be a telephoto lens, the controlsignal CTRL notifies the control circuit 17 to set the photographingsetting as aperture-priority, auto-focusing, and vibration reduction.The control circuit 17 can accordingly set the photographing setting asappropriate for the type of external lens module. It is noted that thephotographing settings are described by way of example, and thoseskilled in the art will recognize to adjust the required setting asneeded.

FIG. 2 illustrates the camera module 10 mounted on an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure. According to an embodimentof the disclosure, electronic device 20 can be a mobile phone, musicplayer, tablet, laptop computing device, wearable electronic device,data storage device, display device, desktop computer, digital camera,or other electronic device. As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting member 19 islocated on the surface of the electronic device 20, with one sidecombined with the light sensing module (not shown in FIG. 2) in theelectronic device 20, and the other side of the mounting member 19exposed on the surface of the electronic device 20 to be joined with anexternal lens module 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic device 20 according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure. The electronic device 20 comprises back cover 31,mounting member 19, middle frame 33, circuit board 35, and touch screen37. The light sensing module 13 and the magnetic sensing element 15 aredisposed on the circuit board 35. The circuit board 35 comprises acontrol circuit (not shown in FIG. 3) for performing functions requiredby the electronic device and the camera module.

FIG. 4A illustrates a front surface of an external lens module 40according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The external lens module40 has an outer frame 41 and a lens 43. FIG. 4B shows a back surface ofthe external lens module 40 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. The back surface of the external lens module 40 may compriseengagement element 45. In an embodiment of the disclosure, theengagement element 45 can be a hook. The back surface of the externallens module 40 may further comprise magnetic components 47A and 47B. Theconfiguration of the magnetic components 47A and 47B corresponds to thetype of external lens module 40. According to an embodiment of thedisclosure, the configuration of the magnetic components 47A and 47B isone or a combination of numbers, positions, or magnetic strengths of themagnetic components 47A and 47B, and the magnetic poles of the magneticcomponents 47A and 47B facing the mounting member 19.

FIG. 5 illustrates the configuration of the magnetic components 47A and47B of the external lens module 40 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the type of theexternal lens module 40 is identified by the magnetic poles of themagnetic components 47A and 47B facing the mounting member 19. Forexample, a telescopic lens is identified when the magnetic poles of themagnetic components 47A and 47B facing the mounting member 19 are both Nmagnetic poles. The external lens module 40 is identified as a macrolens when the magnetic poles of the magnetic components 47A and 47B arerespectively S and N magnetic poles in that order. The external lensmodule 40 is identified as a wide angle lens when the magnetic poles ofthe magnetic components 47A and 47B are respectively N and S magneticpoles in that order. The external lens module 40 is identified as afisheye lens when the magnetic poles of the magnetic components 47A and47B facing the mounting member 19 are both S magnetic poles.

FIG. 6A illustrates the mounting member 19 according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure. FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view of the mountingmember 19 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. According theembodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the mounting member 19 comprises baseportion 50 and translucent portion 52. The base portion 50 comprisesjoint portion 501 and platform portion 503. The joint portion 501 is tobe combined with the engagement element 45 of the external lens module40. In an embodiment, the engagement element 45 can be a hook, and thejoint portion 501 is correspondingly designed to have a recess 5011. Theexternal lens module 40 can be firmly fixed by engaging the hook withthe recess 5011 of the mounting memberl9. The joint portion 501 has ahollowed region 5013 for installing the translucent portion 52. In anembodiment, the translucent portion 52 can be a flat lens, and the baseportion 50 is made of a metal material. When the external lens module 40is to be mounted on the mounting member 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, the external lens module 40 is moved near the mounting member19, and attraction between the magnetic components 47A and 47B and thebase portion 50 assist in alignment of positioning. Next, by rotatingthe external lens module 40, the hook is screwed into the recess 5011 tocomplete the installation. In an embodiment, the platform portion 503may comprise a gap 5031. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the externallens module 40 is assembled to the electronic device 20, the gap 5031 ofthe platform portion 503 corresponds to a position of the magneticsensing element 15 on the circuit board 35. Thus, the magnetic sensingelement 15 can be housed in the gap 5031 to sense the magnetic fields ofthe magnetic components 47A and 47B.

FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an electronic device 20without the external lens module 40 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 7B illustrates the electronic device 20 with theexternal lens module 40 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Asillustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the engagement element 45 which is ahook in the present embodiment of the external lens module 40 is engagedwith the recess 5011 of the mounting portion 19. The design of the hookcan accurately align the optical centers of the external lens module 40and the light sensing element, and obtain durable alignment.

FIG. 8 shows the external lens module 40 and the mounting member 19according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, thereare two states when the engaging element 45 which is a hook in thepreset embodiment of the external lens module 40 is screwed into therecess 5011. In a first state, positions of the magnetic sensingelements 15 (not shown, located in the gap 5031) and the magneticcomponents 47A and 47B are overlapped. In the first state, the magneticsensing component 15 can recognize the configuration of the magneticcomponents 47A and 47B of the external lens module 40, and identify thetype of external lens module 40. Thus, the magnetic sensing component 15notifies the control circuit 17 to set a photographing setting toprocess the image signals.

When adjusting the photographing setting is not desired, the externallens module 40 can be mounted to the lens mounting portion 19 in asecond state. In the second state, the external lens module 40 isrotated 180 degrees relative to the first state, so the magnetic sensingelement 15 does not overlap with the magnetic components 47A and 47B. Inthe second state, the magnetic sensing component 15 is not able torecognize the configuration of the magnetic components 47A and 47B ofthe external lens module 40. Thus, no adjustment of the photographingsetting can take place.

According to the embodiments of the camera module, the external lensmodule 40 can be installed through the mounting portion 19 on theelectronic device 20 without additional fixtures, and the appearance andhandling of the electronic device 20 is not influenced. In addition, themagnetic components 47A and 47B can simultaneously assist in themounting and recognize the type of the external lens module 40.Communication with the magnetic sensing elements 15 through signalcoupling is without physical contact, which is advantageous forwaterproof design. In addition, the external lens module 40 does notrequire additional electronic components, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, andNFC modules, increasing reliability and decreasing size and cost.

Many details are often found in the art such as the other features ofcameras. Therefore, many such details are neither shown nor described.Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the presenttechnology have been set forth in the foregoing description, togetherwith details of the structure and function of the present disclosure,the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in thedetail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of theparts within the principles of the present disclosure, up to andincluding the full extent established by the broad general meaning ofthe terms used in the claims. It will therefore be appreciated that theembodiments described above may be modified within the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera module comprising: a light sensingmodule comprising a light sensing element adapted for receiving lightsand converting lights into image signals; a control circuit adapted forsetting a photographing setting according to a control signal, andprocessing the image signals according to the photographing setting; amounting member, wherein one side of the mounting member is contactedwith the light sensing module; an external lens module detachablymounted on another side of the mounting member opposite to the lightsensing module, the external lens module comprising a lens and at leastone magnetic components, wherein the at least one magnetic component hasa configuration corresponding to a type of the external lens module, andthe configuration of the at least one magnetic component is selectedfrom a combination of magnetic strength of the magnetic components, andmagnetic poles of the magnetic components facing the mounting member;and a magnetic sensing element adapted for detecting the configurationof the at least one magnetic component, and providing the control signalto the control circuit according to the configuration of the at leastone magnetic component.
 2. The camera module of claim 1, wherein themounting member comprises: a base portion comprising a joint portion anda platform portion, wherein the joint portion comprises a hollowedregion; and a translucent portion disposed in the hollowed area.
 3. Thecamera module of claim 2, wherein the platform portion comprises a gap,and the magnetic sensing element is located in the gap.
 4. The cameramodule of claim 2, wherein the external lens module comprises anengagement element, and the engagement element is engaged with the jointportion when the external lens module is attached to the mountingmember.
 5. The camera module of claim 2, wherein the base portion ismade of a metal material, and the magnetic components and the baseportion are magnetically attracted when the external lens module isattached to the mounting member.
 6. The camera module of claim 1,wherein the light sensing element, the control circuit and the magneticsensing element are installed on a circuit board.
 7. The camera moduleof claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensing element is a Hall sensor. 8.The camera module of claim 1, further comprising an internal lens moduledisposed between the light sensing module and the mounting member.
 9. Anelectronic device, comprising: a housing; and a camera module receivedin the housing, comprising: a light sensing module comprising a lightsensing element adapted for receiving lights and converting lights intoimage signals; a control circuit adapted for setting a photographingsetting according to a control signal, and processing the image signalsaccording to the photographing setting; a mounting member, wherein oneside of the mounting member is contacted with the light sensing module;an external lens module detachably mounted on another side of themounting member opposite to the light sensing module, the external lensmodule comprising a lens and at least one magnetic components, whereinthe at least one magnetic component has a configuration corresponding toa type of the external lens module, and the configuration of the atleast one magnetic component is selected from a combination of magneticstrength of the magnetic components, and magnetic poles of the magneticcomponents facing the mounting member; and a magnetic sensing elementadapted for detecting the configuration of the at least one magneticcomponent, and providing the control signal to the control circuitaccording to the configuration of the at least one magnetic component.10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the mounting membercomprises: a base portion comprising a joint portion and a platformportion, wherein the joint portion comprises a hollowed region; and atranslucent portion disposed in the hollowed area.
 11. The electronicdevice of claim 10, wherein the platform portion comprises a gap, andthe magnetic sensing element is located in the gap.
 12. The electronicdevice of claim 10, wherein the external lens module comprises anengagement element, and the engagement element is engaged with the jointportion when the external lens module is attached to the mountingmember.
 13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the base portionis made of a metal material, and the magnetic components and the baseportion are magnetically attracted when the external lens module isattached to the mounting member.
 14. The electronic device of claim 9,wherein the light sensing element, the control circuit and the magneticsensing element are installed on a circuit board.
 15. The electronicdevice of claim 9, wherein the magnetic sensing element is a Hallsensor.
 16. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising aninternal lens module disposed between the light sensing module and themounting member.